Are you ready to take the journey through our mid-year food trend review? Building upon our beginning-of-the-year predictions for 2023 Food Trends, we’ve done a deep dive into today’s hottest flavor to provide an update on food and beverage trends of 2023. Buckle up and get ready to explore the latest and greatest in food trends!
Mid-Year Update: NEW 2023 Food Trends to be Aware of
The Science of Baking Sushi
Something new since our last 2023 Food Trends update is the rise of unconventional baking recipes! Bakes have taken the culinary (and Tik Tok!) world by storm, offering creative and comforting dishes that are perfect for sharing. The most interesting of them all might be the sushi bake, which can be seen trending on Tik Tok and consists of a deconstructed sushi roll baked into a flavorful casserole. It has gained popularity for its convenience and unique twist on traditional sushi. Other popular savory bakes include mac and cheese bakes, egg bakes, and pizza bakes…essentially, bake is just a fancy term for a casserole, and who doesn’t love a casserole? Fun and viral trends like these provide marketers with the opportunity to get creative with recipe projects and influencer work. The possibilities are endless!
Today’s Forecast: Hot & Spicy
Just in time for the summer heat, 2023’s adventurous eaters are embracing the exploration of spices and heat in their pursuit of exciting new flavors. Hot honey has emerged as a trendy condiment over the past year or so, combining the sweetness of honey with a fiery kick of spice. Consumers and restaurants alike are pairing hot honey with cheeses, avocado toast, fried chicken, and even pizza! Curries and Indian spices have also found their way into various cuisines, adding depth and complexity to dishes with their bold and aromatic flavors. Fusion foods and flavors from around the globe have become increasingly popular, blending culinary traditions to create vibrant and innovative dishes that showcase the diversity of global cuisine.
Notable 2023 Food Trends
All Aboard: Charcuterie & Snacking Boards
One trend that has persisted throughout the year and taken the culinary world by storm is the art of the snacking board. From cheese boards to sushi boards, dessert boards, and dip boards, these visually stunning arrangements offer a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. This trend has been on our radar since our beginning of the year trend review when we first reported on the rise of the tinned fish “seacuterie” boards…a unique spin on the classic snacking board! With a variety of flavors and textures, snack boards provide a customizable and shareable experience for any gathering. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2023 culinary trends report, charcuterie boards are the top-ranked appetizer of the year. Whether you’re working on your upcoming consumer pitch plan or plotting out social content for the next few months, see how you can work in butter boards, whipped cheese boards, or any combination of the sort to engage with consumers this year!
Better-for-You Beverages are Here to Stay!
Our previous 2023 Food Trends Core Blog reported that alcohol-free drinks were taking center stage in 2023. Since then, consumers have continued to become increasingly health-conscious and the demand for healthier beverage options has skyrocketed. In response, a variety of brands offering refreshing alternatives to sugary drinks have become more popular! Consumers are looking for guilt-free beverages such as sparkling water or better-for-you energy drinks that don’t compromise on taste. From Bubly’s sparkling water, infused with natural flavors, to Celsius’ energy drinks packed with beneficial ingredients, there are plenty of options to choose from. Throughout the end of this year, produce marketers can put forward their mocktail, spritz, or juicing recipes to capitalize on shoppers’ desire to quench their thirst and stay healthy this year.
Continuing to Embrace the Plant-Based Diet
As more and more consumers adopt a plant-based lifestyle, the food industry has responded with a delicious revolution in plant-forward dining. Our 2023 Food Trends blog in January reported consumers seeking to fit their favorite childhood foods into their current diets while keeping their special diets in mind. Plant-based burgers have become all the rage, satisfying the cravings of vegans seeking a nostalgic and fulfilling burger experience. Vegan alternatives have expanded to include flavorful options for cheese and imitation meat, capturing the essence of their traditional counterparts while offering eco-friendly choices. Even Taco Bell has hopped on the bandwagon with their recent rollout of the Vegan Crunchwrap…yes, you heard that correctly! With that in mind, we can expect to see plant-based products continue to emerge, along with more fruits and veggies turned into comfort food alternatives!
As we move through 2023, these food trends will continue to shape the way shoppers eat and experience food. If you ever want to chat about how we can help you reach consumers and capitalize on current trends, give us a call or fill out the form below!
